Dreams of Darkness Rising (72 page)
Read Dreams of Darkness Rising Online
Authors: Ross M. Kitson
“She’s a natural—at all of it. It unnerves me a bit. Look at her swim. She’s never even learnt. It must be the mermaid in her.
“Indeed,” Jem said, stroking his moustache in thought. “I am being over anxious—as is my wont—when I express concern about her uncharacteristic confidence. I can hardly keep up with her ideas. There are clearly depths yet untapped in our protégé.”
“Better hurry and tap her then, mate,” Hunor said with a bawdy laugh.
Jem raised his eyebrows and with a swift gesture sent Hunor hurtling through the air and into the sea with a mammoth splash.
The sound of Jem’s laughter rang out for the first time in weeks.
END OF VOLUME 1.
To be continued in Volume 2: Echoes of Empire’s Lost.
Glossary.
Alcas bread—a spicy bread made with alcas seeds imported from Midlund
Artoria—the great western realm. Post-empire now divided into two nations both ruled by monarchies.
Artorian empire—the second empire(c1300-1700)
Asha—Water father. Elder God.
Azagunta—the isle of thieves in the Sea of Mists. Once a mightymagical nation
Beeros—demon duchess of insanity and lies. Duchess of the Pale
Black Brotherhood—Artorian assassins guild based in Belgo
Burke—a heavy robe favoured by the merchant class in Mirioth
Coalition—the combined councils of the three Mirioth districts
Coonor—City of the Mists, capitol of Eeria
Craven—wolf headed humanoids
Eeria—the easternmost nation. Ruled by a council of nobles.
Eerian empire—the first empire (c 860 to 1060)
Egos—God of courage. A younger god.
Engin—God Of Luck. A younger god. Patron of thieves.
Feldor—the southern Trimenal monarchy. Famed for its vineyards and weather.
Ferenge—mages specialising in combat
Galvorian—the elemental race of earth, from Orio
Ghast—the Vampyr-lords. Dark-mages of great power
Gilibrion—the first high king of Trimena
Goldoria—pious nation, formerly in Trimena
The Godsarm—the warrior inquisition of Goldoria
Gondland—one of the seven tribal nations that united to form Trimena c750am
Hârdan—the Shorvorian warrior caste
Hêtar—a Shorvorian warrior without a lord or master
Imperial—the “common” language, derived from Eerian in the days of the First Empire
Ingor—Demon duke of pain. Duke of the Pale (called Eht-Raa by lizardmen)
Iyrit Crag—the prison of Coonor
Jitkn—the noble ruling class of Shorvoria
Kanshar—the land of the horse lands north of Goldoria.
Karabister—a broker for contracts of servitude
Kevor—the nation which split in c700pm to become Ssinthor andMirioth.Ruled ultimately by dark mages
Kisarti—a warrior caste of ancient Thetoria c. 750am.
Kirit’s eye—a card game from Artoria, originating in the time of the second (Artorian) empire. Suits are named after ancient houses ofArtoria: Valgansi, Idriki, Porosti, Holgorki
Kokis—the gilded city, South Thetoria. Famed for its many theatres
Magnate—‘God-silver.’A rare metal able to hold magical power
Mâlkar—the head of council in one of the three districts of Mirioth
Melange—mages specialising in elemental manipulation
Midlund—the small nation of brewers between Eeria and Mirioth
Mirioth—a nation of traders and weavers. It southern lands are threatened by the Lizardmen of Ssinthor
Moons—four moons. Silver Eerian, Red Pyrian, Green Orion and Blue Aquatonian
Mortis—god of light. The father of all. God of life
Miria—goddess of dark. The mother. Goddess of time
Nekra—goddess of Death and evil. Elder god.
Neobalt—a woman’s dress in Goldoria covering all skin except the face
Netreptan—elemental race of air. Winged humanoids living in Eeria.
Ni-Faris—festival of choosing in Coonor for the entrance to the Air-mages
Nolir—Earth Mother. Elder god
Nurolia—‘new place’- the lands inhabited by the five races
Onor—demon duke of decay. Consort of Nekra. Duke of the pale
Orio—an island far to the west, home to the Galvorians
Pale—The Pale: hell, the underworld. Realm of demons
Paristar—A mage who is on a period of leave from the Order
Pyrios The desert lands to the arid south of Nurolia
The Sacred Knife—a spy network working with the Godsarm in Goldoria
Shorvor—the small island. Feudal. Similar to medieval Japan
The Silent Knife—the Azaguntan assassin’s guild
Shurk—Fire mother. Elder god
Sirgos—demon duchess fear and terror. Duchess of the Pale Subaquan—the elemental race of water. Mer-men and mermaids.
Sugox—Demon duke of disease & Plague. Duke of the Pale
Synod—the Gold Synod:the ruling council of Goldoria
Thetoria—A feudal monarchy renowned for its warring barons. Tindor—God of Pride. A younger god
Torik—Air Father. Elder God
Trimena—the nation formed in c750am from the seven tribes. Included modern Thetoria, Goldoria and Feldor
Unoristara—mage who is absent from the order without leave
Umar—God of Knowledge. A younger god
Valia—Goddess of Love. A younger god
Varistar—a mage who has forsaken his Order and the Codex
Visaline—mages with administrative and bureaucratic responsibility
Xirande—mages with academic and research role
Yarkel—a hairy cattle found in northern Eeria. Famed for its fur and hide
Yris Tu—the druid ritual of initiation
Significant events in the history of Nurolia.
am~ ante-magi pm ~ post-magi
The Era of Legends
c970 am—settlers from Aquatonia settle the coast of modern Artoria
750 am—The Great Goblin War. Vildor slain by King Gilibrion
749 am—The birth of Trimena
c550 am—the four kingdoms have developed in lands of Artoria
200 am—The beginnings of Kevor
The Era of Magic
0 pm—The discovery of magic by humans. Gift of Gems of Power by Umar
50 pm—The City of Erturia established by the Lochden
65 pm—The Knights of Air form during a Giant attack on Coonor
139 pm—King Valgessin II of Lochden invades Belgo. Nation of Artoria born
162 pm—Keresh and Olgon (two southern kingdoms) fall to north Artoria
162 pm—The Iron Dynasty is established in Artoria, ruling a hundred years251-263 pm—Artoria wars with Aquatonia over Orio263 pm—War of Artorian succession. War with Aquatonia ceases.
282 pm—End of War of Succession; King Otis (the Unfortunate) beginsreign
283 pm—The First War of Brothers begins
285 pm—Goldoria gains its independence from Trimena
285-305 pm—The War of Succession in Trimena. King Echtolin Ivictorious
305 pm—Trimena (now Feldor and Thetoria) re-named Echtolia
325 pm—Barbarians from Foom sack Nth Artoria
326-330 pm—War against the barbarians. Artorian knights formed by Targik I
330-860 pm—The Gilded Age of Artoria
420 pm—The beginnings of the infiltration of Kevor by dark wizards
520 pm—The Second War of Brothers as Feldor fights for independence
524 pm—The Treaty of Flags signed and war ends
524 pm—Prince (now King) Thetorin I establishes Thetoria
690 pm—The Mage Wars: The Fall of Kevor
691 pm—The Mage Wars: The civil war in Azagunta.
691 pm—Tilmoth I comes to power in Eeria upon the death of King Bilroth IX
692 pm—The Plague of Dust devastates Azagunta. The demise of the Cabal
695 pm—The first Codex is written and signed by the four schools
The Era of Empires
792 pm—The first Coalition of the Three Cities forms in Mirioth
861 pm—The First Empire begins under Tilmoth VIII in Eeria
930 pm—The monarchy of Goldoria slain during Eerian occupation
980-1010 pm—The Eerian Empire battles to occupy Artoria (allied with Shorvor)
1010-1059pm—Eerian occupation of Artoria
1059 pm—the collapse of the First Empire.
1059 pm—four houses take power in Artoria: Valgansi, Idriki, Porosti, Holgorki
1060 pm—The church of Mortis gain power in Goldoria
1125 pm—The Synod of Goldoria convene.
1140pm—Tarir’s Dyke begun by Eerian engineers working with Mirioth
1352 pm—The Second (Artorian) Empire begins with the invasion of Feldor
1519 pm—Vildor resurrected during a coup. Irvin III becomes Emperor
1550 pm—Emperor Orix I creates East and West Praetorships in the Empire
1703 pm—Civil war erupts in the Artorian Empire between the two Praetors
The New Age
1706 pm—The Codex of the Magi is rewritten during the Accord of Belgo
1707 pm—The Declaration of Kâlastan establishes the influence of the Guild of Goldsmiths
1722 pm—Treaty of Parok negotiated between Goldoria and Eeria to protect Eerian traders
1773 pm—Declaration of Birin signed after conflict between Eeria andThetoria over the Azure Isles
1865 pm—Statute of Servitude in Eeria greatly diminishes the slave trade
1899-1900pm—The Summer War (4th Goldoria-Thetoria war)
1906 pm—Spring Rising in Thetoria
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Table of Contents
Map of North-Western Nurolia. c 1920
Map of South-Western Nurolia. c1920.
Map of North-eastern Nurolia c1920.
Map of South-Eastern Nurolia c1920.
Map of South Goldoria and North Thetoria c1920
Prologue The House of Preparation
Chapter 3 An Unexpected Reunion
Chapter 7 Escape into the Mist.
Chapter 7 Spectres of the Past
Chapter 10 The City of a Hundred Bridges
Chapter 13 Darkness in the City of Gold
